Straw-stoker.



No. 847,391. PATENTED MAR. 19; 1907.

A. E. WOODMANSBE.

STRAW STOKER. APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 26, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Tu: NORRIS PETERS co, WASHINGTON n, c.

PATENTED. MAR. 19, 1907.

v No. 847,391.

A. E. WOODMANSE'E.

STRAW STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WHZQQSSQSI TE STA ES ATE T EETGE.

STRAW-STOKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 1907.

Application filed February 26, 1906. Serial No. 303,006.

To in whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARNOLD E. W001)- MANSEE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at l/Voonsocket, South Dakota, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Straw-Stokers, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to improvements in straw-stokers fortraction-engines, though of course as a straw-stoker it is adapted foruse wherever it may be desired to burn straw.

Hcretofore great difficulty has been encountered in feeding the straw inexactly the amount desired and delivering the same with certainty underall conditions to the fire-box of the boiler and preventing the firecarrying back.

It is the object of this invention, first, to provide a structure whichwill be always efiectivc to deliver the straw placed in the hopper;second, to provide a means by which the amount of straw to the furnacecan be effectively controlled and regulated; third, to provide animproved structure which will deliver the straw in such manner that itcan be readily burned without the use of the ordinary grates provided inthe fire-boxes, such structure being simple and easy of repair; fourth,to provide an improved arrangement of straw-carriers for use in astoker; fifth, to provide an improved construction and means ofpreventing the fire traveling back over the straw that may be in thestoker when the engine is'stopped.

Further and minor objects relating to details of construction willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

A structure accomplishing the objects of my invention is fully describedin the following specification, and the invention itself is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims.

An improved straw-stoker embodying the features of my invention isclearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation view of myimproved straw stoker, the part extending into the fire-door of theboiler being omitted. Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the samestructure from the right-hand side. Fig. 3

I is a front elevation view of my improved stoker, the delivery-chutefrom the same being in section on line 3 3 of Fig. 8 and portions of thecasing being broken away to show details of constructoin. Fig. 4 is adetail view of the driving mechanism, partially in section, on line 4 4of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 5 5 ofF1g. 2, showing details of the adjusting means for adjusting the tensionof the carrier-chains. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view ofthe ratchet-driving mechanism for the carrier B, taken on a linecorresponding to line 6 6 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailsectional view of the upper guiding-carrier, taken on a linecorresponding to line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectionalview through the entire stoker, taken on a line corresponding to line 88 of Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a detail plan View of the forward end of thestoker where it projects into the fire-box.

In the drawing the sectional views are taken looking in the direction ofthe little arrows at the ends of the section-lines, and

.similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawing, the hopper A is providedat its bottom With a substantially horizontal straw-carrier, which isarranged across the bottom and is supported by the shafts B B andactuated by suitable sprocket-wheels. The bearing for the shaft B isadjustable by means of the screw R, which extends through thebearingblock R and is threaded thereinto, as is clearly illustrated inFig. 5.

.The carrier B is driven from the ratchetwheel N, which is supported ona suitable axle N. This ratchet is driven from the shaft E, the wheel Khaving a wrist-pin thereon actuating the pitman K, which operates thelever M. This lever M is slotted and adjustable on its fulcrum M and isconnected by a link M to a lever N, which carries the ratchet-pawl n,which engages the ratchetwheel N for driving the same. The lever M isadjust able over its fulcrum by means of the lever P, which is connectedthereto by suitable links P and is adjustable by means of the ratchet onthe segment P. This shaft E is provided with cranks E, four in number,arranged in opposite alternating pairs. On the left-hand end of theshaft E is a sprocketwheel J, which is driven by the sprocketchain Jover the sprocket-wheel 'L. This sprocket i is on the shaft 1, which isdriven by the small engine I, supported on the lefthand side of thehopper A, as clearly appears in Fig. 1. The balance-wheel I of theengine is on the end of the shaft I.

The carrier B delivers onto the upwardlyinclined carrier This carrier Cis supported on the main rollers C C and is deflected somewhat towardthe horizontal at each end. The roller C is arranged lower than andprojects partially in under the forward end of the carrier B, so thatthe straw carried by the carrier B will be delivered onto this carrier Cat its lower end and then will be picked up and carried upwardly thereby. Rollers c c are arranged toward the upper part of this carrier, sothat the carrierapron projects horizontally forward and passes under theroller on the shaft and rearwardly therefrom in substantially ahorizontal direction. The slats of this carrier C arc rovided withsuitable ins to en a e the straw to drop from the same into theauxiliary hopper A. A roller H, with slats or projections thereon, isarranged back of the carrier C and revolves in the opposite directionfrom the travel of the apron thereon, so as to strike any straw or chaffthat may be retained on the apron of the carrier 0 and clear it fromthe'same. A guiding-carrier D is supported in the upper frontpart of thehopper A, the lower end of which is arranged just above the upper end ofthe elevatingcarrier 0 and adjustable up and down in relation thereto.This is done by the lever T, adjustable on segment T on rock-shaft S,connected by arm S through link S to shaft D, swinging in slot d. Theslats on the apron of this carrier are provided with pins also, and itruns in the opposite direction from the carrier C, so as to strike backany large accumulations of straw ascending, so that they will fall backinto the bottom of 'the hopper A. Thereby the amount of straw deliveredupwardly is largely regulated.

The elevating-carrier U and the guidecarrier D are driven bysprocket-gear con nections from the shaft L, the sprockets be ing drivenfrom a gear L on the shaft E, which engages a gear L in order to drivethe same in the right direction. These connections are clearlyillustrated in Fig. 2, the lower sprocket being deflected to engage asprocket-wheel which drives the ribbed or corrugated roller H.

A large volume of straw of course can be filled into the hopper A, andthe slats with projecting pins passing up in front of the same pull itupwardly, raising the same from the bottom up. The elevating-carrier isslightly inclined, so that it will take hold of the straw at the lowerfront part of the advancing straw within, so as to insure a pr geramount being elevated. at all times. Tn l movement prevents the strawfrom clogging in the hopper, as it is constantly raising the sameupwardly from the bottom.

The elevatingcarrier C in addition to the usual belts and slats isprovided with a canvas apron, which in view of the peculiar arrangementof the parts enables it to elevate chaff as well as the coarser straw.The upper front part of the hopper A is covered over, a suitable hingedcover A being provided at this point.

The straw is delivered from the carriers into the auxiliary hopper Awith inclined sides, that deliver downwardly into the chute F. The chuteF is covered over with a coverplate F and provided with a hinged door f,supported on a pivot f j ust beneath the coverplate F. This door f iscontrolled by a lever f, a ratchet engaged by the pawl f serving toadjust the same in the open position. The weight of this door issufficient to close it on the burning straw and extinguish the same atthat point in the event of any back-firing. The front end of the chute Fis constructed and arranged to extend into the door of the fire-box of atraction-engine which comes at the vertical line indicated on Fig. 8.

A plate G extends entirely within the firebox, and grate-bars G aredetachably secured by a suitable hook formation (clearly indicated inFigs. 8 and 9) to the front end of the plate G in such a manner that thestraw is readily delivered over the plate G out over the bars G, whereit is supported for a sufficic'nt length of time to become ignited andburned. Any slight refuse and the ashes pass readily on off the ends ofthe bars, sothat they can. be removed from the ash-pit. As thesegrate-bars are of course subjected to the intense heat, it is thoughtbest to make them readily removable, so that they can be easily renewed,as it is believed that they will eventually burn out.

A crank shaft E extends transversely across the rear of the chute F andjust in front of the bottom of the auxiliaryhopper A. As beforeremarked, there are two pairs of oppositely and alternately arrangedcranks E on this shaft E. These carry a series of serrated arms E, whichare toothed on their under side and extend rearwardly and upwardly,terminating in comparatively broad flat heads provided with serrationson their rear and upper sides for engaging the straw in the auxiliaryhopper A. The front of these arms are provided with pivoted serratedtoes e, and the whole structures are arranged to reciprocate in thechute F, the teeth projecting downwardly and forwardly, so that thepairs engage the straw or fuel alternately and advance it step by stepas the crank-shaft E is revolved. This crank-shaft, as before explained,is driven by the sprocketwheel J, which is driven directly from theengine. The crank is provided on the shaft E, so that the same can beoperated in starting the machine by hand until the fire has been startedsufliciently to generate the steam necessary to drive the engine.

I desire to remark that I have not shown any means of supporting myimproved strawstoker, and I have not shown the same actually connectedto the fire-box, because I have not deemed that necessary. I willremark, however, that the stoker can either be carried by a suitablesupport from the tractionengine itself or can be carried'on asupplemental truck. These are details to which my invention doespertain.

I have shown an auxiliary engine I for driving my improved stoker but Iam aware that it can be driven in other ways. I have shown thealternative of a crank for the purpose.

I desire to remark that while I have shown a complete straw-stoker andbelieve that the entire combination possesses great merit, I think frommy experience that subcombinations of many of the parts less than thewhole stoker could be made use of with certain equivalent devices, and Itherefore desire to remark that many of the details of my improvedstoker can be modified without departing from the broad features of myinvent1on.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a straw-carrier, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B, arranged around suitableguiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward endof the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontallyforward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and theslats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier Dabove the upper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel inthe opposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also providedwith suitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from thecarrier C a roller II in front of the vertical portion of the carrier Cand arranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the travel ofsaid carrier; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lower front side of theauxiliary hopper, carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E withrearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided withdownwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on theunder sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms,provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the underside; a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliaryhopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw fromsaid hopper; a cover-plate F over said chute, with a door f hinged at fon the under side of the cover-plate F; a'plate G at the forward end ofsaid chute, arranged to extend into the fire-box; detachable grate-barsG with their free ends arranged to project forwardly into the fire-box;an engine I connected to drive the crank-shaft E by suitable means;suitable gears, sprocket wheels and chains connecting the variouscarriers, to be driven from said crankshaft E; ratchet-wheel N with asuitable sprocketwheel connected to drive the shaft B of the carrier Bin the bottom of the hopper A; a lever N with a pawl to engage saidratchet; a slotted lever M adjustable on its fulcrum M connected by alink M to the lever B at one end, and at its opposite end by the pitmanK, to a wrist-pin on a wheel K, on the crank-shaft E and anadjusting-lever P connected by the link P to the lever M for shifting iton its fulcrum, whereby the motion of the carrier B can be regulated,all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B, arranged around suitableguiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward endof the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontallyforward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and theslats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier Dabove the upper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel inthe opposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also providedwith suitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from thecarrier C a roller II in front of the vertical portion of the carrier Cand arranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the travel ofsaid carrier; an

auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides;a crank-shaft E toward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper,carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardlycurved fiat heads thereon, provided with downwardly and forwardlyprojecting serrations on said heads and on the under sides of said arms;pivoted toes e on the front ends of said arms, provided with downwardlyand forwardly projecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leadingdownwardly and forwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through whichthe said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a cover-plateF over said chute, with a door f hinged at f on the under side of thecover-plate F; a plate G at the forward end of said chute, arranged toextend into the fire-box; and detachable grate-bars G with their freeends arranged to project forwardly into the fire-box, for the purposespecified.

8. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of. the strawcarrier B arranged around suitableguiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward endof the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontallyforward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and theslats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a roller H in frontof the vertical portion of the carrier C and arranged to revolve in theopposite direction from the travel of said carrier; an auxiliary hopperA to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft Etoward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternatepairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat headsthereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations onsaid heads and on theunder sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on thefront ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardlyprojecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leading downwardly andforwardly from the said aux iliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a cover-plate Fover saidchute, with a door f hinged at f on the under side of the cover-plate F;a plate G at the forward end of said chute, arranged to extend into thefire-box; detachable grate-bars G with their free ends arranged toproject forwardly into the fire-box; an engine I connected to drive thecrank-shaft E by suitable means; suitable gears, sprocket-wheels, andchains connecting the various carriers to be driven from said crankshaftE; a ratchet-wheel N with a suitable sprocket-wheel connected to drivethe shaft B of the carrier B in the bottom of the hopper A; a lever Nwith a pawl to engage said ratchet; a slotted lever M adjustable on itsfulcrum M connected by a link M to the lever N at one end, and at itsopposite end by the pitman K, to a wristpin on a wheel K, on thecrank-shaft E; an adjusting-lever P connected by the link P to the leverM for shifting it on its fulcrum, whereby the motion of the carrier Bcan be Eegi-ulated, all coacting for the purpose specie 4:. In astrawstoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardlydeliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the straw-carrier B arranged around suitableguide-rolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forwardend of the strawcarrierB, and the upper end of which projectshorizontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvasapron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; aguide-carrier D above the upper end of the elevating-carrier C andarranged to travel in the opposite direction therefrom, the slats ofwhich are also provided with suitable pins; means of adjusting saidcarrier D to and from the carrier 0 an auxiliary hopper A to the frontof the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lowerfront side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks;arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved fiat heads thereon, providedwith downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and onthe under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front ends of saidarms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on theunder side; a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the saidauxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver thestraw from said hopper; a cover-plate F over said chute, with a door j"hinged at fon the under side of the cover-plate F a plate Q at theforward end of said chute, arranged to extend into the fire-box; anddetachable gratebars G with their free ends arranged to proj ectforwardly into the fire-box, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitableguiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward endof the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontallyforward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and theslats thereof being provided with projecting pins; an auxiliary hopper Ato the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crankshaft Etoward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternatepairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat headsthereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations onsaid heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on thefront ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardlyprojecting teeth on the under side; a chute F leading downwardly andforwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the saidserrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper; a coverplate F oversaid chute, with a door f hinged at f on the under side of thecoverplate F; a plate G-at the forward end of said chute, arranged toextend into the fire-box; and detachable grate-bars G with their freeends arranged to project forwardly into the fire-box, all coacting forthe purpose specified.

6. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitableguiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward endof the straw-carrierj rolls so that a portion projects horizontally B,and the upper end of which projects horiunder the forward end of thestraw-carrier zontally forward, the said carrier being prol B, and theupper end of which projects horivided with a canvas apron and the slatsthereof being provided with projecting pins; a guide-carrier D above theupper end of the elevating-carrier C and arranged to travel in theopposite direction therefrom, the slats of which are also provided withsuitable pins; means of adjusting said carrier D to and from the carrier0 a roller H in front of the vertical portion of the carrier C andarranged to revolve in the opposite direction from the travel of saidcarrier; an auxiliary hopper A to the front of the hopper A, havinginclined sides; a crankshaft E toward the lower front side of theauxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks; arms E withrearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, provided withdownwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and on theunder sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on the front of said arms,provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on the underside; and a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the saidauxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver thestraw from said hopper, all coacting for the pur ose specified.

7. In a straw-sto (er, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around'suitableguiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward endof the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontallyforward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and theslats thereof being provided with projecting pins; a roller H in frontof the vertical portion of the carrier C and arranged to revolve in theopposite direction from the level of said carrier; an auxiliary hopper Ato the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crankshaft Etoward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternatepairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat headsthereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations onsaid heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on thefront ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardlyprojecting teeth on the under side; and a chute F leading downwardly andforwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the saidserrated arms deliver the straw from said hopper, all coacting for thepur ose specified.

8. In a straw-sto (er, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitableguidezontally forward, the said carrier being provided with a canvasapron and the slats thereof being provided with projecting pins; aguide-carrier D above the upper end of the elevating-carrier C andarranged to travel in the opposite direction therefrom, the slats ofwhich are also provided with suitable pins; means of adjusting saidcarrier D to and from the carrier C; an auxiliary hopper A to the frontof the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crank-shaft E toward the lowerfront side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternate pairs of cranks;arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat heads thereon, providedwith downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations on said heads and onthe under sides of said arms; pivoted toes on the front ends of saidarms, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting teeth on theunder side; and a chute F leading downwardly and forwardly from the saidauxiliary hopper A through which the said serrated arms deliver thestraw from said hopper, all coacting for the purpose specified.

9. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a hopper A, with a horizontalstraw-carrier B in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier C in front of the strawcarrier B arranged around suitableguiderolls so that a portion projects horizontally under the forward endof the straw-carrier B, and the upper end of which projects horizontallyforward, the said carrier being provided with a canvas apron and theslats thereof, being provided with projecting pins; an auxiliary hopperA to the front of the hopper A, having inclined sides; a crankshaft Etoward the lower front side of the auxiliary hopper carrying alternatepairs of cranks; arms E with rearwardly and upwardly curved flat headsthereon, provided with downwardly and forwardly projecting serrations onsaid heads and on the under sides of said arms; pivoted toes e on thefront ends of said arms, provided with downwardly and forwardlyprojecting teeth on the under side; and a chute F leading downwardly andforwardly from the said auxiliary hopper A through which the saidserrated arms deliver the straw'from said hopper, all coacting for thepurpose specified.

10. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a hopper with a horizontalstraw-carrier in the bottom thereof; an upwardly-deliveringstraw-carrier, the lower end of which is arranged beneath the horizontalcarrier in the said hopper and the upper portion of which is extendedhorizontally; an auxiliary hopper into which the saidupwardly-delivering car rier delivers; a chute leading downwardly andforwardly from the said auxiliary hop- Lil -fire-box, for the purposespecified.

1 1. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged thereinto deliver the straw therefrom; an auxiliary hopper to receive thestraw; a chute leading from the auxiliary hopper; a crank-shaft arrangedtransversely to the chute, with alternate pairs of cranks thereon; armscarried by the said cranks terminating at their rear ends inupwardly-turned fiat heads and provided with serrations on said heads"and under sides, pointing in the direction of said chute; pivoted toeson the front ends of said arms, said toes being serrated on their undersides, coacting for the purpose specified.

12. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged thereinto deliver the straw therefrom; an auxiliary hopper to receive thestraw; a chute leading from the said auxiliary hopper; a crank-shaftarranged transversely to the chute, with alternate pairs of cranksthereon; arms carriedby the said cranks terminating at their rear endsin upwardly-turned flat heads and provided with serrations on said headsand under sides pointin in the direction of said chute, coacting for thepurpose specified.

13. The combination of a hopper with suitarms, said toes being serratedon their under sides, coacting for the purpose specified.

14. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged thereinto deliver the straw therefrom; a chute leading from the said apparatus;a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate pairsof cranks thereon; arms carried by the said cranks terminating at theirrear ends in upwardly-turned flat heads and provided with serrations onsaid heads and under sides pointing in the direction of said chute,coacting for the purpose specified.

15. The combination of a hopper with suitable carriers arranged thereinto deliver the straw therefrom; a chute leading from the said apparatus;a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranksthereon; arms carried by the said cranks terminating at their rear endsin upwardly-turned flat heads and provided with serrations on said headsand under sides pointing in the direction of said chute; coacting forthe purpose specified.

16. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with meansfor delivering straw therefrom; a chute to which the straw is delivered;a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranksthereon; arms carried by the said cranks, provided with serrations ontheir under sides; and pivoted toes at the front ends of said arms, saidtoes being serrated on their under sides, for the purpose specified.

17. In a strawstoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with meansfor delivering straw therefrom; a chute to which the straw is delivered;a crankshaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranksthereon; arms carried by the said cranks, provided with serrations ontheir under sides; and pivoted toes at the front ends of said arms,coacting for the purpose specified.

18. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with meansfor delivering straw therefrom; a chute to which the straw is delivered;a crank-shaft arranged transversely to the chute, with alternate cranksthereon; arms carried by the said cranks, provided with serrations ontheir under sides, coacting for the purpose specified.

19. In a stoker, the combination of a suitable chute; arms, withserrations on their under sides, arranged to reciprocate alternatelyunder sides, arranged to reciprocate alternately in said chute; andpivoted toes on said arms, for the purpose specified.

21. In a stoker, the combination of a suitable chute; arms, withserrations on their under sides, arranged to reciprocate alterpagely insaid chute, for the purpose speci- '1e 22. In a straw-stoker, thecombination of a suitable hopper; a chute leading therefrom; means fordelivering the straw from the said hopper; reciprocating serrated armswithin the said chute; a cover-plate over the chute; a door hinged tothe under side of the coverplate, extending downwardly and forwardly inclose relation with the reciprocating serrated arms and allowed to restby its own weight on the straw passing through the chute; and means forclamping the door shut.

23. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chuteleading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper;reciprocating serrated arms having pivoted toes, within the said chute;a cover-plate over the chute; a door hinged to the under side of thecover-plate, extending downwardly and forwardly in close relation withthe reciprocating serrated arms and allowed to rest by its own weight onthe straw passing through the chute.

ICC

24. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chuteleading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper;reciprocating serrated arms within the said chute; a cover-plate overthe chute; a door hinged to the under side of the cover-plate, extendingdownwardly and forwardly in close relation with the reciproeatingserrated arms and allowed to rest by its own weight on the straw passingthrough the chute.

' 25. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with achute leading there from; means for delivering the straw from the saidhopper; reciprocating serrated arms within the said chute; a door hingedin the upper part of said chute and extending downwardly and forwardly,adapted to rest upon the straw passing through the chute; and means forclamping the door shut, coacting as specified.

, 26. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with achute leading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the saidhopper; reciprocating serrated arms within the said chute; and a doorwith means for clamping the same upon the straw, within the chute.

27. In a straW-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chuteleading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopper;reciprocating serrated arms vpithin the said chute; and a door withinthe c lute.

28. In a straw-Stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chuteleading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopperthrough the said chute; forwardly-projecting detachable fingers on thesaid chute, adapted to be arrangedwithin the fire-box, as specified.

29. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a suitable hopper with a chuteleading therefrom; means for delivering the straw from the said hopperthrough the said chute; and forwardly-projecting fingers on the saidchute, adapted to be arranged within the fire-box, as specified.

30. In a straw-stolrer, the combination of a chute with suitable meansof delivering the straw therethrough, and forwardly-projecting fingerson the end of the said chute, adapted to be arranged within thefire-box, as specified.

31. In a straw-stoker, the combination of a chute, the end of which isadapted to be inserted into the doorway of a fire-box; suitable meansfor delivering straw through said chute; and forwardly-projectingfingers on the end of said chute, the inner ends of which are free, forthe purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

Orrs A. EARL.

